FAQs

How much yoga experience do I need to be able to do a Teacher Training?

We have two levels of Teacher Training, 200 and 300 Hour. Our 200 Hr. Level 1 training is suitable for yoga practitioners from all levels of practice – beginners, intermediate and advanced. The course is structured in such a way that each person starts at the same point and works their way systematically and consistently to the end. We encourage students from all backgrounds with different levels of experience to join the course. We believe that a seasoned practitioner can learn so much from a less experienced practitioner and vice versa. Having students with different levels of experience on the course ensures that the classroom environment is reflective of the type of students that will make up your class when you go on to teach. An integral part of the course is breaking down asana to their absolute basics with an emphasis on integrity and alignment. Similar to the way that Yoga is not just asana, other areas such as philosophy, anatomy, Ayurveda, classroom management, yoga lifestyle etc. are also integral to developing yourself as a yoga teacher.

Our 300 Hr Level 2 training is a continuation of the 200 Hr. syllabus at an advanced level. On completion, trainees are certified for 500 Hours Teacher Training. A prerequisite for the Level 2 training is successful completion of 200 Hr. training with Himalaya Yoga Valley or another Yoga Alliance approved 200 Hr. Registered Yoga School (RYS).

What style of yoga will I be learning to teach?

Yoga is a vast subject area with many traditions and styles. Our program is based on a systematic and progressive learning approach designed to get trainees teaching safely and effectively in a relatively short period of time. For the 200 Hr. training, we use the Modified Astana Primary Series as a foundation for the teaching practicums and asana classes to ensure students have an in-depth knowledge of approximately 40 postures when they graduate. This method of ‘teaching to teach’ is followed through at an advanced level for the 300 Hr., adding a suite of additional asana from the Astana Series to that already completed at the 200 Hr. Expect to practice teaching traditional asthenia yoga with vinyasa for your trainings and also for development of your personal practice. We use Iyengar techniques for alignment and adjusting, also expect to practice Raja, and Hatha yoga during the course. Our teachers are experienced in many different styles and come from various lineages and therefore we ask students to arrive with an open mind and heart ready to get the most from the course.

Will I have the opportunity to actually teach on the course?

From the end of week one of the 200 Hr. training, our trainees begin teaching in pairs, and from the middle of week two begin to group teach under the supervision of senior teachers and assistants. By the end of the course trainees have experience of a number of hours of smaller and whole group teaching, with a corresponding increase in teaching skills, knowledge and most importantly, self confidence. We believe this is one reason why a large number of our graduates go on to teach immediately after graduation.

Graduates may also have the opportunity to complete our internship programme. This allows students to deepen and expand their knowledge and teaching skills in a supportive environment. Please see the Internships page for further details.

Will I be qualified to teach when I graduate and at what level?

Our aim is to ensure that students who graduate from our training can always lead a high standard and professional beginner-intermediate class with confidence, ease and safety. Graduates who attend all classes, complete all assignments and pass all assessments will be issued with a Certificate and are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance and the Yoga Federation to become an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) at the 200 Hr. level. You will graduate with the skills and the hands-on practice to manage and teach a student group safely and with confidence. Most graduates without prior teaching experience go on to start teaching beginners classes immediately when they return home. Trainees who are 100% committed during the course and afterwards with their own practice have a very high success rate as teachers.

There are two levels of teacher training: Himalaya Yoga Valley’s Level 1 training is a 200-hour foundational training that gives trainees the skills and knowledge to be competent and safe teachers to beginners and intermediate student groups. It is a practical and hands-on approach to learning to teach yoga. Subjects covered are asana (postures and associated techniques), pranayama, meditation, mantras, kriyas, classroom management, anatomy, Ayurveda, philosophy, ethics and yoga business.

Level 2 is 300 hours of study and training (commonly referred to as a 500 Hour Training in yoga circles) at an advanced level across all practical and theory subjects . The advanced continuous learning is focused on teacher trainees developing an individual portfolio based on an area of yoga they would like to research/develop and incorporate into their existing teaching platform. There is a focus on learning to teach all aspects of advanced asana and with improving their own personal practice. 500 Hour is the combined qualification/certification available for graduates who have completed 200 Hr. and 300 Hr.trainings.

I want to join the course to deepen my practice, is this okay?

Many students join the course with this objective in mind and they invariably get as much out of the course as those who have enrolled with the main objective of becoming yoga teachers. However, as it is a teacher training course, the curriculum is geared towards teaching and all trainees are expected to achieve learning outcomes regardless of personal goals. Our TTC is not a retreat and we place strong emphasis on becoming a working teacher after graduation. For this reason a majority of our course time outside of lectures and asana practice is dedicated to practical teaching experience under the guidance of teachers. For more information on our retreats, please see our retreat information here

Do I have to purchase any text books for trainings?

Yes, you will be sent a list of text books that you are required to purchase upon approval of your application. These are in addition to the yoga teacher training manual which will be supplied on course commencement.

What happens if I miss a class?

To receive certification trainees must attend 100% of classes. Should you become ill during the course you will be required to see a doctor and we can arrange for you to make up any missed classes. As we often work in groups for teaching practicums it is imperative for the health of the entire class that students participate fully, illness or injury notwithstanding.

How much homework will I have?

You will have approximately 1.5 hours of homework per night (this will be at the discretion of your teachers and dependent on individual and group needs). You will have three written assignments to complete and group work on sequencing, anatomy etc. This is an intensive training and students must be prepared to invest in their education experience outside of class hours. Students are required to display a high level of commitment and discipline in relation to study, which ensures our standards as a training institute are maintained. Our team is always available to assist students with extra tuition and study plans.

Is there an exam at the end?

Throughout the training period trainees are assessed for competency through written and practical assignments to ensure they are meeting the learning objectives of the training. There are no exams per se, the training assessments are outcome focused, rather than memory recall.

Will I have free time?

Depending on the schedule and the teaching practicums’ progress, there is generally a half day free on Saturday and all of Sunday off. There are also appropriate breaks built in for meals and rest. Classes finish between 6:30 and 7 pm every evening. You will find a sample daily schedule on the yoga teacher training page which will give you a good idea of how the days run. From the end of week two until the end of the training most free time is spent on assignments, homework, group work and preparing for teaching practicums.

How many students are on the course?

This depends on location. As an example we have a maximum of 40 trainees in Goa, 35 in Ireland and 25 in Spain. Although our courses are in high demand and we typically work off a waiting list several months before start date, we stay within the location capacity to ensure the highest quality training for our students. Unlike other teacher training schools, run by one or two teachers,we have a permanent faculty of eight expert teachers, allowing for an excellent student-teacher ratio. The staff numbers grow at almost every training, depending on how many teaching assistants and/or interns are present. We pride ourselves on providing students with plenty of one-on-one attention to meet individual needs.

What type of students attend the trainings?

Our trainees range in age from 18 to 70 and come from all over the globe… Mums, Dads, partners, male, female, all professions, all individuals! Amongst our training groups you will meet peers from Europe, Australia, South America, India, Canada and America. Some of our trainees have been practicing for 20 years and some for six weeks. Basically a great blend! We are very proud of our graduate teachers who are teaching successfully all over the world. Please see our Success Stories page for examples!

How do I secure my place on the yoga teacher training course?

Please complete the appropriate Application Form. It will be processed within two working days and we will notify you of the outcome by email. In the unlikely event you do not hear from us, please check your “spam” filter or contact us. The approval email will include lots of information and also details on how to secure your placement with a 30% deposit. Please read our Terms & Conditions before submitting payment. The fee balance is payable approximately 6 weeks before start date.

Should I bring my own yoga mat?

For hygiene reasons you will need a yoga mat of your own. You can bring your own mat or purchase a traditional hand loomed cotton yoga mat at the Centre; sticky mats are available at the local shops.

What clothes should I bring?

Several sets of uniform is provided for all trainees and is required dress standard for all classes. In Goa training, for free times we suggest you bring loose comfortable clothes of a light, preferably cotton, material. You may want to bring a light jumper for early morning or the occasional breezy evening, however they are rarely used. We suggest that you respect Indian culture by dressing appropriately especially if you are planning to travel in North India. Goa however is more relaxed and you can wear what you wish (within reason) without any fuss. Swimsuits and bikinis are fine but no topless sunbathing please. For trainings not in India, outside of class times you can pack based on local weather conditions.

Do I need a visa?

For all locations please check with your Embassy of the country. Some countries are allowed to have a Visa on Arrival (VIA) entry. Tis is valid for 30 days and just enough time to arrive, train and depart for the 200 Hr. For the 300 Hr , you will need a full Visa. They usually take one week to receive however it can vary office to office. Please apply for Tourist visa only. As we are not a University or College, a Student visa is not applicable and unsupported. Yoga and tourism are realistic descriptions of your travel to India and Europe. For trainings in Europe, members of EU states can enter other EU states without a visa. Citizens from some other countries such as Canada, USA, Australia etc. can get visa on arrival in EU countries but again we suggest that you check with your local embassy where the training is being held.

Do I need medical travel insurance?

We require all teacher training students to have travel insurance that includes medical cover, particularly hospital admission and emergency evacuation to your own country. Apart from checking for quotes online, you may also wish to check with your travel agent. Whatever option you take please make sure to obtain medical travel insurance before you leave your home country and please provide us with a print out of your details upon arrival.

Is India safe for solo travellers?

We are located in a very safe location in Goa. The population of Mandrem Beach is around 2000 people and it has a safe, small town atmosphere. The local population are very mindful of maintaining safety for visitors to create sustainable tourism. India in general has much lower crime rates than other countries and most people have entirely positive experiences. All travellers should take the usual precautions that you would take at home and when travelling anywhere. Most people feel a lot safer and at ease in India than at home and this is often a welcome surprise. We recommend that women travel in women’s compartments in trains and we encourage students to take flights to Goa instead of busses to avoid dangerous roads. Our Training and Retreat Centre in Goa has 24 hour security and any visitors to the training Centre must pre-register before being granted access. We are extremely strict regarding security and safety of our yoga guests. We organize airport pick ups for all of our trainees with local drivers who we know and trust. We have been using the same drivers for the last decade and they are well used to looking after our staff, yoga visitors and trainees.

Do I need vaccinations or malaria pills for India training?

We do not advise trainees on which vaccinations to get as we believe it is a personal choice and one that you should be guided through by a western medical professional. We do strongly suggest that you go to the local travel clinic or GP to get a list of recommended vaccinations and advice on malaria and make a decision based on your doctor’s advice. Most people get a standard set of vaccinations when travelling to India, and many of the vaccinations are given over a period of time so we recommend that you make an appointment as soon as possible.

The Lonely Planet has a great section on health in the India guide written by a doctor that is really concise and clear.

Is there an opportunity to continue study with Himalaya Yoga Valley after graduation?

Yes, 200 Hr. graduates have the opportunity to complete our Internship Programme. This allows students to deepen and expand their knowledge and teaching skills in a supportive environment. Please see the Internships page for further details.

What is included in the Teacher Training fee?

Teacher Training in GOA
Included: the cost of training, training manual, uniforms, daily breakfast and early morning tea, meditation and kriyas, materials and uniform.
Not included: Accommodation, airport transfers, textbooks and other meals
We offer very affordable lunch and dinner options at our vegetarian restaurant.

Our Training and Retreat Centre is renowned for its delicious meals- there you can eat well and healthy for 350 rupees (approx. £3.50) for lunch or dinner, which includes both Western and Indian dishes. Add a further 200 rupees per day for fresh juices, smoothies, water etc. In the local restaurants you can get a great vegetarian meal for approximately 400 rupees. Meat is also available.

For European locations you can expect to pay approximately €10-15 per meal.

What about accommodation during the Teacher Training?

Goa
The Teacher Training in Goa is residential only; you can expect to pay £13, £17 or £34 pp. per night depending on your room preference. There are photos and a short video clip of the Centre and facilities on our Yoga in Goa webpage.

Europe
In Ireland, you can get University student accommodation for approximately £150 per week, with cooking facilities. Other options are shared house with other trainees, Bed & Breakfast or Guest Houses. A range of accommodation options is supplied to approved applicants. In Spain, the accommodation with half-board is approximately £50 per night, depending on the provider.

Can you give me an idea of the cost of living in India?

India is comparatively cheap compared to the cost of living in the West. A litre of bottled mineral water costs 20 cents. A taxi from Goa airport to Mandrem Beach (taking approx. 1 and a half hours) costs £15 -20 GBP. Local transport on trains/buses is very inexpensive. There are also a number of low cost airlines operating in India. Tee-shirts cost approximately £1.50. Jewelry and Indian fashion and other gift ideas are very reasonably priced. A one hour professional Ayurveda massage costs approximately £12. You can hire a moped/scooter for approximately £5 per day.

I want to spend some time travelling in India before/after the course, any recommendations?

If you are attending the course in Goa, you may be flying into or out of Mumbai, where it is worth spending a few days. Ellora and Ajanta caves are north east of here (overnight bus). Hampi is almost directly inland (overnight bus or train) from Goa. South of Goa there is Gokarna and Kerala where you do a backwater boat trip, visit tea plantations in Munnar, visit Cochin and a number of other interesting places. You may also be flying into or out of Delhi; again the capital has many sights to see and a sprawling city to explore. Rishikesh and Dharmsala are peaceful towns with a number of yoga centres at the foot of the Himalayas. South of Delhi there is of course the Taj Mahal in Agra. There are any number of possibilities in a country the size of India. Our suggestion would be that you choose a few sights that interest you and try not to cover too much ground in a short space of time, especially if you are travelling before the course commences, you will need your energy! Check online or in travel guides for other ideas.

What is the exchange rate for Indian rupees (INR) / other countries?

The exchange rates vary daily; we suggest using oanda.com or xe.com for current exchange rates.